Cigarettes to be banned in health centres

CIGARETTES and tobacco products will be banned from all buildings managed by Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (LPT) from October.

The smokefree policy will forbid the use of any tobacco products in all LPT buildings, premises and vehicles from the start of the month.

People will still be allowed to use e-cigarettes outside.

LPT has created a couple of short videos to explain to the new policy to patients, service users and visitors.

Trust medical director

£1 Dr Satheesh Kumar said: “Going smokefree is vitally important for the wellbeing of our patients, service users, staff and visitors.

“We understand that stopping smoking can cause discomfort, and plans are in place to support patients to not smoke while on our premises, or ideally give up for good.

“This includes the provision of nicotine replacement therapy for patients who are perhaps used to going outside for a smoking break, particularly in mental health units, and either making e-cigarettes available for purchase or allowing use of patients’ own vaping devices, as long as they are not rechargeable.”

The policy has been created with the assistance of Leicester’s smoking cessation service.

The films can be watched on the LPT’s Youtube channel at www.youtube.com/watch?v=346Ta9G95Us or at www.youtube.com/ watch?v=qLDHsnrzGDQ

For advice and guidance on stopping smoking, email stop@leicester. gov.uk or call 0116 454 4000.